US deploys two aircraft carriers to Middle East as Iran strikes continue
The USS Gerald R. Ford and USS Carl Vinson carrier strike groups are now operating in the region, giving commanders an unprecedented concentration of airpower.
Americas — March 2, 2026
The United States has positioned two aircraft carrier strike groups in the Middle East theater, the Pentagon confirmed Monday, giving US commanders an extraordinary concentration of naval airpower as the military campaign against Iran continues.
The USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN-78) and USS Carl Vinson (CVN-70) are operating in the Arabian Sea and the Persian Gulf respectively, accompanied by their full complement of cruisers, destroyers, and submarines.
Each carrier deploys approximately 70–75 aircraft, giving the combined force roughly 150 strike aircraft and support planes capable of striking targets across Iran within minutes.
The deployment is one of the largest concentration of US carrier aviation in the Middle East since the initial invasion of Iraq in 2003. It signals both the intensity of current operations and the US military's preparation for potential escalation.
Iran has made no direct military attacks against either carrier so far, though IRGC Navy vessels have made multiple close approaches to the carrier battle groups in the Strait of Hormuz.
The US Navy said its ships are operating under heightened force protection measures and are prepared to respond to any hostile action.
